Social Skills
The Blog
What Can Jazz Teach Us About Social Skills?
Jazz isn't just music, it's conversation. Discover how the structure of jazz mirrors the social skills we teach in PEERS®, and why those skills are learnable for every young person.
Why the Difference Between Targeted Teasing and Banter is a Skill Worth Teaching
Not all teasing is the same. And knowing the difference is a skill that can be taught. Here's how PEERS® helps neurodivergent young people recognise, respond to, and move past teasing with confidence.
When Your Autistic Teen Has an Intense Crush: What Parents Need to Know
If your autistic teen has developed an intense fixation on someone they like, you are not alone. And it is not something to panic about.
What you are observing is not a character flaw or a sign that something isn't going as it should. For many autistic young people, romantic feelings can be experienced more intensely and for longer than their peers. The desire for connection is real and it is meaningful. What is often missing are the practical skills to navigate those feelings in ways that feel comfortable for everyone involved.
Three Myths About Autistic Teenagers and Friendships (That Might Be Holding Your Child Back)
Most parents have heard at least one myth about autistic teenagers and friendships. Christine from Social Skills Australia breaks down the three most common and what the research actually tells us instead.
5 Reasons Why Nothing Is Working for Improving Your Teen's Social Skills
Tried therapy, social groups, and advice-but your teen is still struggling socially? Here are the 5 reasons nothing is working, and what evidence-based support actually looks like.
Why Your Teen Has Friends Online But Not In Real Life
Is your teen spending hours online with friends but never seeing anyone in person? Learn why this happens and how to help your teen bridge the gap to real-world friendships.
Why Your Teen Struggles to Make Friends, And What Actually Works
If your teen has autism or ADHD and struggles socially, you are not alone. And more importantly, it’s not because there’s something “wrong” with them. They just haven’t been taught the steps yet.
Common Social Mistakes Teens with ADHD Make (And How to Fix Them)
Teens with ADHD desperately want friends but often make these 3 social mistakes without realising it. Learn why it happens and how to help your ADHD teen build lasting friendships.
How to Help Your Autistic Teen Make Friends
"Put yourself out there."
"Friends will come when you least expect it."
If you're a parent of an autistic teenager, you've probably heard all this advice. And if you're like most parents I work with, you've also watched your teen try to follow it—and fail.
Nourish to Flourish: Supporting Social and Emotional Wellbeing
Supporting social and emotional wellbeing goes far beyond physical health. For many children, teens, and young adults — particularly those who are autistic or neurodivergent — flourishing depends on feeling understood, regulated, and supported in everyday interactions.
This month’s theme, Nourish to Flourish, invites us to think about how we nourish minds, emotions, and resilience — especially during times of social stress, change, or uncertainty.
3 Signs Your Teen Needs Social Skills Support (And What To Do About It)
Is your teenager struggling with friendships? Learn the 3 warning signs that indicate your teen needs social skills support and what you can do to help them build lasting friendships.
Why Friendships Are Hard for Autistic Teens (and How to Help)
Friendships are a central part of teenage life, yet for autistic teens, forming and maintaining these relationships can often feel confusing, exhausting, or even impossible. Many parents, caregivers, and educators notice that while autistic teens often want friendships, they sometimes struggle to navigate the unwritten rules of social interaction. Understanding why friendships are challenging – and knowing how to provide support – can make a world of difference.
New Year, Same You (No Pressure)
As a new year begins, there is often an unspoken expectation to change. New goals. New habits. A “new version” of yourself.
For many neurodivergent young people and adults, this pressure can feel overwhelming rather than motivating. The idea that you must suddenly become more confident, more social, or more outgoing can create anxiety before the year has even begun.
Managing Your Reputation: Why It Matters (and How to Change It)
Everyone has a reputation. It is the way others see and describe us. Sometimes that reputation feels fair, but other times it might be based on misunderstandings, old mistakes, or behaviours we have already outgrown.
“I Want to Date… But I Have No Idea Where to Start”
If you have autism, ADHD, social anxiety or you’ve just never had much dating experience, these questions can feel huge.
It’s not that you don’t want to date, you just don’t know the steps.
And that’s frustrating.
Finding Friendships After 30: Why It’s Hard And How to Make It Easier
Making and keeping friends after 30 isn’t as simple as it used to be.
Back in school or uni, friendships almost formed themselves. Classmates, clubs and constant social events gave us ready-made opportunities to meet people and stay connected.
Where Friendships Begin: Finding a Source of Friends
When we think about friendship, the first step is often the hardest: Where do I even find friends?
For many adolescents and young adults, especially those who are neurodiverse, making and keeping friends can feel overwhelming. But here’s the secret — every friendship starts with a source of friends.
Why Every Young Person Should Learn Social Skills: One Parent’s Powerful Perspective on the PEERS® Program
Why Every Young Person Should Learn Social Skills: One Parent’s Powerful Perspective on the PEERS® Program
In a world that’s increasingly fast-paced, digital, and socially complex, one thing remains unchanged: the importance of connection. Whether it’s friendships, family relationships, or professional communication, social skills are the foundation of a thriving life.
What To Do When Someone Teases You: A Guide to Handling Teasing Effectively
What To Do When Someone Teases You: A Guide to Handling Teasing Effectively
Teasing can really hurt, right? Whether it’s at school, work, or online, being teased can make you feel upset, embarrassed, or powerless. You might have been told to just ignore it, walk away, or tell an adult. But here’s the truth: those strategies don’t always work—and sometimes, they can even make things worse.